Starring: Dustin Clare, Camille Keenan
Distributor: Other
Runtime: 71 mins. Reviewed in May 2015
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Sunday is a small and modest film coming from New Zealand.
It is really a two-hander, played by Dustin Clare and Camille Keenan. The action takes place over 24 hours.
Eve goes to the airport to meet Charlie, who is away most of the year driving army vehicles in war zones. Eve wants to tell Charlie that she is pregnant and that she would like him to stay at home. The drama focuses on her longing for some kind settled life, the preparation for giving birth, her love for Charlie and her sometimes-desperation with him and his attitudes. The drama also focuses on Charlie, his personality, fairly macho, sometimes sensitive, but enjoying his work and his commitment to it.
The setting of the film is Christchurch, after the destruction by the earthquakes. As Eve and Charlie move about the city, visiting the cathedral to talk about a wedding, going for a cup of coffee, playing outdoor chess, going to the water and remembering the lyrical times they had which you have seen during the credits, they continually pass by buildings which have collapsed and other signs of destruction as well as the beginnings of building again.
Sometimes the mood is serious, sometimes humorous – especially when they are at home and there is a knock on the door and a very awkward rap-greeting singer arrives to deliver a message; they discuss baby’s names (even Sunday) and whether it is a boy or a girl.
Many audiences will identify with the two characters, the dilemmas, their problems, their hopes – and the uncertainty when employment clashes with settling at home. Some of the dialogue shows great sensitivity and challenges the audience to consider where they stand emotionally and in objective judging of what they think ought to happen.
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